My friend Emerson lends reassurance across the years, via Emphatically Emerson, page 174. Writing in 1848, he says:
“Happy is he who looks only into his work to know if it will succeed, never into the times or public opinion; and who writes from the love of imparting certain thoughts and not from the necessity of sale — who writes always to the unknown friend.”
It could have been written this day, expressly for me, the writer of books that few buy but some treasure — or for you, regardless whether you write or blog or speak and regardless whether you have an audience.
Or, to paraphrase Henry Thoreau, write not the times; write the eternities.
Good encouragement for a still fairly unaccomplished writer. Thanks for the encouragement
I’d like to share a quote from a friend, who is, and will be a great writer.
“If you wrote something and saw that it was good and there was value others could receive from it, but you don’t share it because you’re afraid of judgement and/or misunderstanding – that is cowardice.” –Tessa Gratton.
Thanks Simon, that is so true. I am trying hard not to make cowardice my comfort zone. 🙂